April 28, 2011

Emanuel waiting for three police finalist names

Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel today said he's waiting for the police board to submit the names of three finalists for police superintendent so he can name Chicago’s next top cop.

“I have to respect a process, and that’s my goal,” Emanuel said. “I look forward to getting those names.”

The Chicago Police Board must interview candidates, conduct background searches and recommend three finalists. Emanuel has been been doing his own interviews of potential candidates as the police board does its work.

“I get sworn in May 16. And what do we all know about crime, it spikes in the summer. I don’t want to waste a single day,” Emanuel said. “The city needs a new police commander immediately. I don’t think it’s good for the city to wait on the doorstep of summer.”

Emanuel has interviewed Newark, N.J., chief Garry McCarthy, who was a finalist for the Chicago job in 2003, as well as President Barack Obama's drug czar, R. Gil Kerlikowske, the former chief of police for Buffalo, N.Y., and Seattle. The local candidates on Emanuel’s list include Eugene Williams, chief of patrol; Al Wysinger, deputy chief of detectives.

Those names also are on the police board's radar, sources have said.

Emanuel made his comments after he announced the appointment of Evelyn Diaz as commissioner of family and support services. Diaz is the CEO of the Chicago Workforce Investment Council.

John Pfeffier, who will be the first deputy commissioner, is the executive director and CEO of Inspiration Corporation, a non-profit that works with the homeless.

All 50 aldermen on the Chicago City Council had to file paperwork earlier this year detailing their outside income and gifts. The Tribune took that ethics paperwork and posted the information here for you to see. You can search by ward number or alderman's last name.

The Cook County Assessor's office has put together lists of projected median property tax bills for all suburban towns and city neighborhoods. We've posted them for you to get a look at who's paying more and who's paying less.

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